Another Australian Tourist’s Heart Removed and Retained in Bali After Death
An unsettling situation has emerged involving another Australian tourist who passed away in Bali, with reports revealing that his heart was removed during an autopsy and kept on the island, echoing a similar case that surfaced recently.
A Second Australian Victim
Steve Yates, a resident of Melbourne, has come forward exclusively to news.com.au concerning the tragic death of his brother, Chris Yates, who died unexpectedly in Bali in February 2023. Chris, 52, a yoga instructor and graphic designer who had lived in Bali for over a decade, was found lifeless in his villa pool under distressing circumstances similar to those surrounding Byron Haddow, another Australian who died earlier this year in Bali.
"He loved Bali and he loved surfing, he ate healthily, drank healthily, he had never been sick in his whole life," Steve shared. After teaching a Bikram hot yoga class—held at 40 degrees Celsius—Chris complained of overheating, jumped into his pool, and shortly after was found by a Japanese friend, Shiho, floating face down with blood coming from his nose and ears. Shiho attempted CPR as others called for emergency help, but Chris was pronounced dead upon ambulance arrival.
Heart Removed and Retained
Following Chris Yates’ death, an autopsy was conducted by Dr. Nola Margaret Gunawan, the same coroner responsible for the autopsy of Byron Haddow at Sanglah General Hospital (now Prof. Ngoerah Hospital). Disturbingly, Chris’s heart was removed and retained by the hospital under Indonesian law, similar to Byron Haddow’s case. Steve Yates received his brother’s body back without vital organs including the heart, liver, kidney, and stomach, describing it as "an empty shell."
Months later, a heart was sent back to Australia, but genetic testing was inconclusive due to excessive chemical preservation, leaving Steve frustrated and seeking answers. “Apparently, they also said the heart was too young to be my brother’s,” Steve stated.
Questions and Concerns
Despite the autopsy’s findings indicating that Chris died from a heart attack linked to artery narrowing, potentially exacerbated by lifestyle factors including alcohol consumption, Steve remains unconvinced. He suspects poisoning and points to bruises and lumps on Chris’s body, as well as accounts from acquaintances describing pale skin and sweating on the day of the incident.
Steve has faced significant challenges in obtaining information from authorities in Bali and Australian officials, describing his efforts as “like driving into a brick wall.” His emails to Dr. Gunawan went largely unanswered, with the doctor later explaining that most of his correspondence was filtered into a spam folder.
Similarities to Byron Haddow’s Case
This new revelation follows a high-profile case involving Byron Haddow, a 23-year-old FIFO mining worker from Noosa, Australia, who died under “suspicious” circumstances in Bali in May 2025. Haddow’s body was also returned to Australia without his heart, which was only discovered missing after a second autopsy. His family is currently awaiting DNA results to confirm the identity of the organ now repatriated.
Dr. Gunawan explained that in both cases, toxicology reports showed high alcohol levels, yet no evidence of poisoning. She emphasized that the bloody discharge observed does not necessarily indicate injury but may be a symptom of asphyxia.
Call for Transparency
These cases highlight serious concerns regarding medical and legal procedures following foreign deaths in Bali, and the challenges faced by families seeking closure. The retention of organs, lack of communication from officials, and contradictory findings have left families in distress. Steve Yates is urging for greater transparency and cooperation from the Indonesian and Australian authorities to resolve these troubling matters.
As investigations continue, the stories of Chris Yates and Byron Haddow underscore the complexities and emotional toll associated with overseas deaths and the handling of autopsies abroad. Families hope that by bringing these issues to light, there will be improvements in support and accountability for foreign nationals who die overseas.
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